Beetle Shell Question

>>2437058
the handling shouldn't be a problem I think. I've kept dead stag beetles stored dry for months before I went on to pin them and I was still able to move and bend the legs without them breaking.
I don't think paint would pose much of a problem either, chitin is pretty tough. might help to still read up on the chemical characteristics of it though.

>>2437072
Thanks for the input. That also makes me think of the issue with affixing pieces. I need to read up on if glue/pinning/epoxy would be best. Thanks again.

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>>2437058
They do get delicate, I'd recommend put him in a small glass box.

put them into a cup filled with coke atleast once a day for up to 1 hour at a time, they really enjoy this and often bathe in natural occuring puddles of cola all the time.

>>2437058
>I'm planning on potentially raising some dynastes species with my brother, mostly for fun.
Then inform yourself about them properly. Dynastes take a long time to raise, are expensive and require constant maintenance. Definitely not a beginner beetle.

You know they require large amount of rotting wood/flake soil/kinshi, and they take 18+ months to pupate, right? Do you know how to build an artificial pupal chamber? And so on and so forth.

From your question I know you haven't raised any beetles before and I'd recommend starting with something much easier. Also if you're in the US exotic beetles are illegal.

However to come back to your question: The joints between legs and antennae get brittle and will break very easily, but the armored parts (elytra, pronotum, head) are quite sturdy.

>>2437317
They posted indingenous US rhinos, so they probably have thought it out a bit. Also, permits are difficult to obtain but not impossible.

Don't be so presumptuous, anon.

>>2437317
I'm new to beetles but not new to exotic pets. I have been doing my research on care and raising. I understand it can take up to two years from L1 to adult. I still plan on doing more research before I actually commit, but from everything I've read so far, I am confident this is a pet I can handle. Although I do appreciate the concern, I've known far too many people who jump into things without proper knowledge.

I actually work with animals and people, half of my time is spent explaining to people why they can't just throw their lizards/amphibians/fish in a container and call it a day! I understand the amount of ignorance out there about animal care.


Thank you for the response though! Every bit of confirmation helps.

>>2437330
Working on it! But yes, the species I'm looking at are the granti.

>>2437330
afaik only organizations like zoos get those permits, I don't know of a private breeder that has gotten one since the 90s

>>2437380
Alright, I'm kinda sorry for the snarky response but someone asking about raising Dynastes as their first beetle always sounds like they just found out about D. hercules and now want one.

If you want more help from people that know a lot more about beetles than I do ask in the invert general (http://boards.4chan.org/an/thread/2432427) or join the discord and ask in the invert channel there. We have one dude that' raising like 200 or something beetles right now.

>>2437384
I completely understand, no worries.

I'll keep that in mind! I've never visited this board and I didn't see the general, I'll be sure to direct further future questions in that direction.

>>2437287
Probably not good to feed them soda on a regular basis even if they love the sugar.

>>2437380

I'd recommend Dynastes tityus over Dynastes granti. From what I picked up in various beetle forums, granti are rather tricky to rear.

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>>2437058
not a beetle but...